KepLand veteran to take over helm of Keppel Reit's manager

The manager of Keppel Reit (real estate investment trust), Keppel Reit Management, will get a new chief at the helm - the second such appointment in a month.

In a filing to the bourse operator on Wednesday, the manager said Tan Swee Yiow, 56, will assume the role of chief executive and executive director from March 20, subject to regulatory approval.

He will be taking over from outgoing chief Jesline Goh, who had succeeded former CEO Ng Hsueh Ling on Feb 1.

Before that, Ms Goh, 43, was CEO-designate of the manager from Jan 10.

The filing stated that Ms Goh "is leaving the manager to pursue other career opportunities".

Mr Tan is currently president, Singapore, in Keppel Land and concurrently head of Keppel Land Hospitality Management.

He oversees the Keppel Land Group's investment and development operations in Singapore, as well as its hospitality management arm.

He has been with the Keppel Land Group since 1990 and was the CEO of the manager when Keppel Reit was listed in April 2006, a role he had held till 2009.

Said Audrey Chin, chairman of the manager: "Swee Yiow has been associated with Keppel Reit and the Keppel Group for a long time, and had played an instrumental role during Keppel Reit's inception and in the early years of its growth.

"While in Keppel Land, he led the development of many of the Singapore Grade A office buildings that are currently part of Keppel Reit's quality portfolio. His familiarity with Keppel Reit and its business operations, coupled with his expertise and in-depth knowledge of the real estate sector, will put the Reit in good stead to seize further opportunities for growth."

huangjy@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 2, 2017.
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